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“I wasn’t able to do anything useful for you ere children,” Lucilla continued after sipping her wine “But I vowed that someday, if I had the chance, I would As the wife of an earl—who just happens to be related to two of the Almack patronesses—I have an unassailable position in society, a whole Season in which to wield my power, and I’ve decided it’s time you assumed the place to which you were born”
Will spread his ar that position! Baron Penniless of Rack-and-Ruin Manor”
Ignoring the bitterness in his tone, she nodded “Exactly You are still a baron Uncle uardianship, but Brook still possesses a stout stone manor house situated on a fine piece of land Both need only an infusion of cash to put theht-skirtedfor a wealthy bride And I intend to help you find one”
The idea was so preposterous, Will could not help laughing “My dear, you are a dreamer! I hardly think I would be of interest to any respectable woe to charm some tender innocent, no papa worth his salt would countenance my suit”
“Nonsense,” Lucilla returned roundly “You speak as if you were steeped in vice! You’ve only done whatto be seduced—albeit with a bit more flair Indeed, I suspect Uncle Harold is proud of your reputation, though he’d never admit it However, as head of the faood society”
“He told you that?” Will asked, astounded
“Why should he not? Since to do so,” she added dryly, “costs hi and fa an innocent shouldn’t prove e You’re quite a handsoirl can resist the lure of a rake’s reputation?”
He stared at her a moment “Given my ‘rake’s reputation,’ what does your lord husband have to say about your running tame with me?”
“You know Marcus always liked you, even when you weredown every boy hispered behind your back at Eton He agrees that you ought to assuled “And knowing how he detests London, you ree that you stand in for him as my escort to every party, ball and rout I choose to attend”
“He trusts me that much—in spite of my reputation?”
Lucilla’s face grew serious “He knows you would never do overness are with me, so we shall appear quite the faently bred lass from the lower ranks Despite Uncle Harold’s support, with your…limited means, ’tis best not to aspire to the hand of a duke or earl’s daughter Perhaps a chit whose family wishes her to acquire a title…especially if she had a nabob grandfather to leave her his wealth!”
Holding up his hands, Will shook his head “Lucilla my dear, I appreciate your kind intentions, but spare me! I’ve no desire to become a tenant for life”
“What would you beco as you have since leaving Oxford Would it be so bad to find a kind, sensible girl to care for, ill care about you? One whose doill allow you to repair theas befits a Lord Tavener of Brook?”
She gestured around the rooive up this Only think! Instead of a rented rooht recline in your own music room at Brook Become a patron of the arts, sponsor musicales and theatricals Write music as you once did Fill the library with all the rubbishy books you used to bring hoain “Much to the horror of Uncle Harold”
Will s more awful to our uncle than a nepherotea scholar I once choused hi to accept a position as a don at Christ Church”
“Did they really offer you a post?” Lucilla asked, diverted “I think you ood one”
“No, I ise not to accept it, even if I was angry at the tiof what his future could offer, with a cru estate, no money and no chance to harness his few talents to earn any “There wouldn’t have been any married ladies of wealth there for me to pursue”
“True But you’re bored with that now”
He raised his eyebrows “Am I?”